A Corrosion Protection Safety Net For Shipping New Vehicle Sensors
April 24, 2025
Today is the age of sensors. An average vehicle may have more than a dozen sensors in the engine alone to monitor pressure, position, and other characteristics. The entire vehicle may have 70 sensors for better safety and efficiency. Many of these sensors have electronic components or metal parts, which, even when designed with corrosion resistant metals, may face added corrosion stress during transport. Fortunately, with the right packaging materials, it is easy to add a little extra protection for peace of mind that the sensors will reach the customers in good condition!
Shipping Risks for Sensors
Shipping is an unpredictable period when sensors leave the manufacturer and travel to the assembly plant or auto parts shop. As packages pass through a variety of climates and undergo temperature swings, it is not unusual for humidity to condense inside the package, increasing the corrosion risk. By sea, the journey is longer and the risk for exposure to high chloride levels in the air is greater. In these conditions, there is nothing that says corrosion-resistant metals necessarily get a free pass.
The Packaging Safety Net
Adding a safety net to protect against corrosive shipping conditions provides peace of mind for the manufacturer, and using Cortec® VpCI® packaging is one of the easiest ways to do so. These materials contain Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that diffuse throughout the package and form an invisible molecular protective layer on the metal surfaces. As long as the package remains closed, the Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors remain within, protecting the metal parts. When the part is taken out of the package, the same vapor action gradually causes the molecules to float away from the metal surfaces, avoiding the special cleaning or degreasing required for removal of traditional rust preventatives. Many VpCI® packaging solutions protect multiple metal types from corrosion, making them appropriate for the variety of ferrous and yellow metals used in vehicle sensors.
Customize Your Corrosion Solution
VpCI® packaging comes in many different forms to suit the needs of specific situations. For applications where minimal protection is needed, CorShield® VpCI®-146 paper works well as an interleaving or wrapping material. For an added barrier against moisture, VpCI®-126 Blue incorporates Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors into the walls of a trademark blue bag that can be heat-sealed, zip-tied, or taped shut. It is also available with a zipper closure for situations where resealing is important. When electronic parts also need protection from electrostatic damage, EcoSonic® VpCI®-125 HP Permanent ESD Bags offer dual corrosion and ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection.
Sometimes, given the corrosiveness or duration of the shipping conditions, an additional source of Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors is needed and can be easily added in pouch form. CorPak® 1-MUL Pouches are one option that protect 1 ft³ (28 L) of volume. Another great option is the Desicorr® VpCI® Pouch, which combines desiccant with Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors for dual action—moisture absorption and active corrosion protection.
Choose Peace of Mind for Sensors
The protective packaging possibilities for vehicle sensors are countless and convenient, making it easy to provide peace of mind for manufacturers as they ship parts to assembly plants and auto parts suppliers. If you have already had a negative experience with sensor corrosion or want to make sure it never happens, be sure to contact Cortec® today for guidance through the packaging selection process.
Keywords: corrosion, vehicle sensor corrosion, packaging for sensors, corrosion problems for vehicle sensors, shipping challenges for auto parts, Cortec, VpCI, VCI paper, VCI film, corrosion inhibitors
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